Assistant Principal - Mission

Set Sail on the Jubilee Year of Hope!

The Jubilee Year of Hope officially began on December 24, 2024, when Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica in Rome. This special year is a time for reflection, renewal, and hope for Catholics around the world.

Right here in our diocese, we have a unique way to participate in this significant event! Thanks to an initiative by Father Paul Gooley, with the blessing of the Bishop, Newman Senior Technical College has designed and built a special, travelling symbol of pilgrimage and connection.

This symbol takes the form of a beautiful boat, chosen to represent the rivers, waterways, and ocean that connect many of our parishes. This design also aligns with the international symbol for the Year of Jubilee.

The Jubilee boat has been with us at St Joseph's Regional College since Tuesday! It's currently on display in the chapel, and our Religion Education classes will be visiting to discuss the central theme of the Jubilee Year: Hope. The boat also formed a special part of our prayer space for assembly, where a dedicated prayer for the Jubilee Year was read.

The Jubilee boat will embark on a journey, travelling to all parishes and schools across our diocese throughout this Jubilee Year. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and parishioners alike to engage in pilgrimages and prayers, fostering a deeper sense of unity and hope within our community.

Year 11 Students Supporting Our Community Through Food Drive

Our Year 11 students of Catholic Faith in Action are leading a school-wide food drive to support the St Agnes Parish Community and Youth Hub. As part of their commitment to serving others, they are calling on all students and families to donate non-perishable food items.

These donations will go directly towards restocking the pantry at the Parish Community Hub, helping to support individuals and families experiencing hardship in our local area.

This is a powerful opportunity for our school community to come together in generosity and compassion. We encourage everyone to get involved and make a difference—every item makes a difference.

Donations can be brought to school and placed in the designated collection tubs located in PC classrooms. Thank you for your support!

Year 11 Service Mass and Acts of Compassion

This week, our Year 11 students came together to celebrate a Service Mass with Fr Prodencio Bognay and Deacon Shane Hyland, recognising their commitment to living out our College values through service to others.

Students raised an amazing $560 for 'Make a Difference' (M.A.D), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting disadvantaged and marginalised people in our local community. Many students have also signed up to be trained as volunteers for the M.A.D. program, where they will help prepare and serve meals for people experiencing homelessness in our local community.

To celebrate their generosity and dedication, students enjoyed an Out of Uniform Day today.

We are proud of their compassion and commitment to making a meaningful difference.

Embracing Compassion: Our College Supports the Vinnies Winter Appeal

As the crisp air of winter begins to settle, it's a time when many of us look forward to the comfort of warm homes, cozy blankets, and hot meals. Yet, for thousands of Australians, winter brings a stark and often brutal reality: homelessness. This year, our College is proud to launch our annual Vinnies Winter Appeal, an initiative close to our hearts, aimed at making a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing hardship.

It's easy to perceive homelessness as a distant issue, something that doesn't touch our immediate community. However, the truth is far more confronting. The ABS Census in 2021 revealed that over 122,000 people experience homelessness on any given night across Australia. These aren't mere statistics; they are individuals – people just like you and me – facing immense challenges.

The face of homelessness is also more diverse than many might imagine. While the image of "sleeping rough" on the streets often comes to mind, a significant number of people experiencing homelessness are in severely crowded dwellings, staying in crisis accommodation, or even "couch surfing" with friends or family. This complex issue is driven by a multitude of factors, including the critical shortage of affordable housing, the pervasive impact of family violence, mental health challenges, and unemployment.

This is where the St Vincent de Paul Society, or Vinnies, plays an incredibly vital role. Vinnies provides a comprehensive and holistic safety net for those in need. They offer far more than just a bed for the night; they provide wrap-around support, advocacy, and crucial community connection to help individuals exit homelessness permanently. They are truly on the front lines, addressing immediate needs while tirelessly working towards long-term solutions for those doing it tough.

How our College can make a difference this year:

We are thrilled to announce several fantastic opportunities for our entire College community to get involved and support Vinnies in their vital work this winter:

• Out of Uniform Day! On Thursday of Week 9, students are invited to come to school in their casual clothes by making a gold coin donation. Every coin, no matter how small, helps Vinnies provide essential services to those in need.
• Warm Clothes Collection: It's not just about monetary donations. We are also collecting donations of warm clothes. Please consider those jumpers, scarves, and coats you may have outgrown or no longer wear. If they are in good condition, clean, and warm, please bring them in! Your generous donation can make a world of difference to someone braving the cold this winter.
• Vinnies School Sleepout: For those seeking a truly impactful experience, we invite you to join the Vinnies School Sleepout! This incredible opportunity allows participants to gain a deeper understanding of what it might be like to experience homelessness. You’ll spend one night "sleeping rough" – typically on cardboard, with just a sleeping bag, and a simple dinner of soup and bread. It's not about replicating homelessness, but about fostering empathy, challenging perceptions, and raising crucial funds for Vinnies' homelessness services right here in our local community. Our College Sleepout will be held on August 1st here at the College. Keep an eye out for more details, and if you wish to sign-up, please see Emily or Mr. Hyland in the coming days.

Sign up for the Vinnes School SleepOut

Imagine the collective difference we can make together. By participating in these initiatives, we are not just raising money; we are raising awareness, fostering empathy, and demonstrating our unwavering support for those in our community who need it most. Every action, whether big or small, contributes to Vinnies' inspiring mission of creating a more just and compassionate Australia where no one has to endure the harsh realities of homelessness.

Let’s come together as a College community and make this Vinnies Winter Appeal our most successful yet! Your generosity and compassion can truly warm a life this winter.